chai giving circle: past cohorts
Host Committee: Vera Baum, Maddy Chaleff, Mimi Ezray, Andi Frenkel, Karen Orzechowski, Orli Rinat, Nicole Singer, Shannon Stein
Julie Arnheim Jill Asher Leslie Behar Lorraine Brown Viviane Cohen Catherine Crystal Foster
Beth Delson Yudy Deng Lori Kaplan Steve Levy Janice Lisbonne Susan Mirbach
Karen Rau Tina Rosenblum Nancy Rudin Lauren Segal Heather Shaw Susan Sims
Deborah Sloss
Debra Stout
Tzipor Ulman Beth-Ann Wenger Emily Wu
The 2024-2025 OFJCC Giving Circle focused on a powerful theme: Young Adult Jewish Engagement—a crucial area for cultivating the next generation of Jewish leaders. Over several months, a dedicated group of donors came together to explore emerging trends, hear from national and local experts, and engage deeply with many incredible applicant organizations.
Together, we made meaningful investments in programs that are innovating, inspiring and building vibrant Jewish life for young adults. We’re proud of this year’s cohort—and grateful to our Giving Circle participants for their curiosity, commitment and vision. The funds were awarded directly to local Bay Area initiatives, with the following grantees: LUNAR Collective, OneTable, Honeymoon Israel and the OFJCC’s young adult program, ENGAJ.
Host Committee: Madeline Chaleff, Cynthia Cohan, Andi Frenkel, Karen Orzechowski, Nicole Singer, Sarah Smithline, Shannon Stein
Julie Arnheim Vera Baum Lauren Berman Mikhal Bouganim Lorraine Brown Kathy Crankshaw
Catherine Crystal Foster Yudy Deng Alison Elliot Mimi Ezray Liza Hausman
Lori Kaplan Stephen Levy Janice Lisbonne Wendy Miller Susan Mirbach Rosita Newman
Susie Richardson Orli Rinat Annie Rubin Susan Sims Deborah Sloss Beth Wenger Emily Wu
This year’s OFJCC Chai Giving Circle focus area was “Solidarity.” For the first time since the Chai Giving Circle’s inception in 2016, the focus in 2023-2024 was solely on the Jewish community—supporting Israelis traumatized by the October 7th attacks and learning how antisemitism and misinformation impact our local community. Together, 30 community members learned about and supported our local Jewish community organizations that stepped up for our community since the October 7th attacks on Israel. We are delighted to grant funds to American Jewish Committee, Hillel of Silicon Valley, Hillel at Stanford, Jewish Community Federation & Endowment and Jewish Community Relations Council. Together, the group learned, healed and made an impact.
Host Committee: Madeline Chaleff, Andi Frenkel, Liza Hausman, Lori Krolik, Orli Rinat, Nicole Singer, Shannon Stein
Julie Arnheim Vera Baum Lauren Berman Lorraine Brown Cindy Cohan Yudy Deng Mimi Ezray
Catherine Crystal Foster Jennifer Foster Jinghan Hao Lori Kaplan Laura Keller
Wendy Kaplan
Miller
Susan Mirbach
Rosita Newman Karen Orzechowski Aliza Peleg
Tracy Shedroff
Rebecca Shomair Julie Shulman Susan Sims Abigail Sooy Emily Wu
A group of 30 community members pooled their charitable donations, expanded their knowledge and collaborated in support of addressing mental health issues here in our area. After learning about the topic, the group researched local organizations doing good work. Ultimately, we granted funds to Ravenswood Family Health Network, NAMI Santa Clara, and El Camino Foundation’s MOMS program.
Host Committee: Julia Agam, Leslie Behar, Amy Berg, Madeline Chaleff, Andi Frenkel, Alina Libova, Rebecca Shomair, Nicole Singer
Agam Family Behar Family Berg Family Berman Family Chaleff/Arfin Family
Frenkel Family Greenberg Family Gunn Family Hudesman Family Lapidus/Margolin Family
Libova Family Leslie Family Preschool Teachers Sharon/Koskas Family Shomair Family
Singer Family Smithline Family Thiel Prizant Family
A group of 16 OFJCC Leslie Family Preschool and alumni families pooled their resources in support of Ukraine at our first-ever giving circle for the preschool community. At our second one-time, pop-up giving circle of the year, the group granted funds to NOVA Ukraine and The Survivor Mitzvah Project.
Host Committee: Leslie Behar, Madeline Chaleff, Cynthia Cohan, Andi Frenkel, Wendy Miller, Beth-Ann Schwabacher-Wenger, Rebecca Shomair, Shannon Stein
Mallary Alcheck Julie Arnheim Cheryl Bader Vera Baum Sabrina Braham Margarita
Casanova Cohen Alison Elliott Mimi Ezray
Catherine Crystal
Foster
Jennifer Foster
Hillary Frank Lisa Friedman Yael Goshen Liza Hausman Sandy Hirsh Miranda Junowicz Lori Kaplan
Dana Kleiman
Sheryl Klein
Dana Kornfeld
Lori Krolik Elaine Leff Aliza Peleg Orli Rinat Talya Ronen Debbie Roose Lisa Rothstein
Susan Steiner Saal
Jennie Savage
Emily Scheinman Sara Schnell Pamela Shames Susan Sims Deborah Sloss Kate Vanzanten Viviane Wildmann Emily Wu
A group of 45 women pooled their resources in support of Local Afghan Resettling at our first-ever pop-up giving circle program. With thought, intention, information and strategy, the group met for a few short hours and granted funds to Jewish Family & Community Services East Bay and Pars Equality Center.
co-chairs: Andi Frenkel, Wendy Miller
Rahn Basche Kim Brummer Cynthia Cohan Nancy Dobronsky
Mimi Ezray Yael Goshen Elaine Babayan Leff
Elena Shvarts Shannon Stein Beth Wenger
Participants of the fourth funding cycle of the Chai Giving Circle have chosen Juvenile Justice Reform as the main focus. Funds were granted to Fresh Lifeline for Youth, New Door Ventures and Young Women’s Freedom Center.
Co-chairs: ellen brown, Andi Frenkel, rebecca shomair
Leslie Behar Kim Boyanowski Maddy Chaleff Mimi Ezray Myra Gilfix Yael Goshen Karen Gould
Liza Hausman Patty Krigel Lori Krolik Esther Levy Lucy Milgram Wendy Miller Stacey Newman
Aliza Peleg Orli Rinat Rivi Rochkin Susan Steiner Saal Sara Schnell Pam Shames
Elana Shvarts Mimi Spier Shannon Stein Judith Stubbs Beth Wenger Deborah Wexler
Participants focused their learning on two key areas: mental health and housing insecurity, each with a sub-focus on girls. Funds were granted to Shalom Bayit, Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC), Unity Care Group and Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS).
Co-chairs: Maddy Chaleff, Rebecca Shomair
Leslie Behar Kim Boyanowski Ellen Brown Mimi Ezray Andi Frenkel Karen Gould
Liza Hausman Sara Janzen Erica Katz Sharon Leslie Linor Levav Wendy Miller
Stacey Newman Orli Rinat Rivi Rochkind Susan Steiner Saal Sara Schnell Jodi Schwartz
Pam Shames Shannon Stein Andrea Stern Beth Wenger Karen Zuckerberg
This cohort of Chai Giving Circle learned about social justice issues in the local, South Bay community, specifically as they relate to hunger and food insecurity. Members worked together to make impactful decisions while infusing Jewish values into their philanthropic discussions. They ultimately granted funds to Ecumenical Hunger Program, MAZON and Project WeHOPE.
Participants and Funders:
Chair: Michelle Sandberg
Tavi Alcheck Leslie Behar Ronit Bodner Maddy Chaleff
Jennifer Dibrienza Andi Frenkel Tricia Herrick Vanessa Hood
Jonna Hunter Lauren Kutcher Sharon Leslie Susan Steiner Saal
Rebecca Shomair Emily Waldorf Hilary Weisfeld Emily Wessler
Participants from the inaugural giving circle focused on three pressing, relevant issues: reproductive justice, religious and racial tolerance and immigration rights. Ultimately the group granted funds to the Center for Reproductive Rights, If | When | How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice, Center for Gender and Refugee Studies and Facing History and Ourselves.